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Unused ethanol-blend gas in a generator or not enough ethanol stabilizer in the machine at the end of last hurricane season could mean problems with the machines this season, writes Liz Freeman. Leftover gasoline in the generator eventually turns bad and the generator won't run. The ethanol, which is alcohol, in the gasoline can dry out O-rings and damage other parts, resulting in the need for repairs. "Ethanol kills everything," said Mike Iaconelli, owner of Capri Equipment Center in East Naples, Fla. "It's going to cause problems."

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The demand for ethanol-free gasoline remains high in some parts of Georgia because the fuel helps customers protect the small engines in their outdoor power tools and boats, according to this article. Ted Bowman stopped using ethanol fuel in his generator and power tools after some engine problems, and he now drives out of his way to a gas station that sells ethanol-free gas. "Ethanol is notorious for gumming up small engines," Bowman said.

Automakers are increasingly using vegetable oil-based polyols and polyamides, natural fiber-reinforced plastics and other biobased chemicals in manufacturing auto parts for several vehicles. "The pricing of biobased chemicals and plastics has been less volatile than petroleum-based products," said Ontario BioAuto Council CEO Craig Crawford. "And in the longer term, they are expected to become cheaper as the technologies mature and production achieves economies of scale," he added.

It's amazing that so many bosses struggle with corporate ethics, writes Melissa Raffoni -- after all, behaving ethically simply boils down to doing the right thing and exercising sound business judgment. Act transparently and focus on long-term payoffs rather than short-term opportunism and you won't often go off the rails, Raffoni adds.

A Detroit engineering research firm invented the new Ethanol Boosted Direct Injection engine to take advantage of ethanol's higher octane rating and other properties. Most flex-fuel engines on the market are optimized for gasoline and modified slightly for ethanol blends. "We have designed this engine to be optimized for ethanol and gas and any blend of the two," said Rod Beazley, product group director for gasoline at Ricardo.

Arizona has asked the EPA for permission to shorten the season for its winter gas blend -- a combination of gasoline and corn-based ethanol -- by two months. This has prompted an outcry from ethanol producers who say this will keep U.S. consumers dependent on foreign crude oil along with hurting their bottom line.